Secret Discoveries (Part 12)

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Editors Note: This part of the story picks up from Part 9. Click HERE to re-read that section.

Secret Discoveries - Part 12
By: SRS

Soon Merlin's image was lost amongst the darkness, and Crystal found herself walking aimlessly within the tunnel. At this, Crystal began to breath a little harder. Here she was, thinking hat she was going start getting more answers, and instead, she was alone in the dark again. Merlin's last words floated back to her you have been summoned to prove your abilities...Just before her panic got the best of her, Crystal saw a light, like a shinning star, in the distance. Thank goodness, she breathed as the light grew larger and brighter, with every closing step.

It soon became apparent that the light was emitting from a peephole in the the center of a wooden door. Crystal could see that the the door was bound by ancient clasps and iron hinges, thus it looked impossible to move. Hesitating, Crystal pushed on the door and found it locked, as she expected. Now I'm done for, Crystal thought as she looked behind her and tried to see into the darkness. I can't even see my hands in front of my face and I'm supposed to do.....what? Crystal stopped. She realized that she wasn't quite sure what was expected of her. Then, once again, she heard Merlin's voice in her head. ...You must be tested...it is necessary for us to know what your strengths are and if we might trust you with future tasks.

"Is that what this is," Crystal spoke aloud, "another test?" It was easier to think when her thoughts were spoken out loud for there was too much noise insider her head, too many things trying to be released. Speaking out loud eased the pressure a bit.

"At least now I know that this has been planned, it makes me feel more secure to know that 'someone' is looking out and 'watching' me." She confessed, "Regardless of the fact that they're watching to evaluate my actions." Crystal added as an after thought.

Staring at the door once again, Crystal started to seriously consider the situation at hand. Firstly, behind her there was a tunnel immersed in darkness, where up was down and the walls were only felt, not seen. Secondly, in front of her there was a door with a tiny hole in the center and solid clasps binding it shut. Her natural reaction was to try and get through the door and out of the darkness. She could try and recount her steps, back to Merlin's back door, but then what? She would end up where she began and have no where left to flee but back into the darkness. With this thought Crystal shuddered as she remembered the chill of the night and it's wispy grasp.

Then, it's resolved, I've got to find a way to get through this door.

Crystal started noticing the details about the old wooden door. There were no bolts along the hinges, so the possibility of removing the screws to open the door was put aside at once. Furthermore, the 'peephole' was larger than Crystal had thought. As she pressed her face against the wood and looked through the opening, Crystal could actually see to the other side of the door.

But what she saw made her jump back in fright. Suddenly, Crystal wasn't so sure she wanted to get to the other side. Once more, Merlin's words echoed around her, you have been summoned to prove your abilities in wit, intelligence, and self dependence. There was a force, or power, within her that was capable of defeating and completing this task. She had the power, the abilities.

Crystal stood still, hard in thought. "There is magic in me, this I know. When Merlin first tested me on my fifth birthday, he confirmed this fact. But since that day I have not used those powers, I have not been taught how to control them, all I know is that they course through my veins with a life of their own, and that I am afraid to unleash them. Must I use them to solve this test?"

Now the voice in her head was beginning to annoy her, as the sound of Merlin's words resounded through her mind for a fourth time, you are here to be yourself and find the balance within your characteristics. After accomplishing this you will be able to reach the heights you were born to. Surprisingly, this message reassured her and gave Crystal a new, stronger resolve, to open the door and combat the danger on the other side.

Crystal readjusted her gaze and started to form a plan in her mind. She did not want to destroy the door, it might prove to be her only barrier if she could not fend off the being on the other side, so she wanted to open it while keeping it intact. Her eyes turned to the door knob and saw that there was a key hole. This too released a fraction of light and Crystal was surprised that she had only noticed it now.

She would pick the lock. But she would not do it with a key pick, rather she was meant to use magic, this was clear. Focusing on the task at hand, Crystal began to feel her body warm as the energy coursing through her quickened its pace, reaching all crevasses of her body in a ten seconds cycle, then speeding up, doubling its pace, and completing its cycle every second. Its speed was continuously increasing.

Crystal felt like her innards were burning, tears began to well up in her eyes, and she questioned the wisdom of summoning this energy, this power, that she had not used for many years. Her gaze hardened as she stood her ground and tried to ignore the pain. It will dissipate as soon as the door is open, she told herself, then I will bid it away and complete this task at hand. I need only keep my concentration and then I shall succeed.

Still feeling the heat of the energy moving within her, Crystal started to walk toward the door. She found that the pain was lessoning, and she hoped it meant that she had gained some control over the energy. With one swift movement of her arm, Crystal reached out to the key hole, and willed it to open. Heeding her wish, blue flames rushed from her fingers, filled the key whole, and the door sprung open.

The action done, Crystal tried to chill her blood and will the magic away, as well. The light from the other side flooded the tunnel, and Crystal could not open her eyes from the pain it brought upon her. She swayed from the impact of the entire situation and reached for something to lean on, to support her, she found the door frame.

She had done it, she had opened the door. The task had left her dizzy and disoriented, but is had been completed none the less. But her celebration was short lived as she recalled the scene that she had glimpsed through the peep hole. Was it still here, around her, now? Did she dare open her eyes and behold her new situation? Was the task truly completed, or was that only the beginning?

Part 13 coming soon.